“Reading the Mind in the Eyes” Is Associated with Top-Down Visual Attention

Malaei, Fereidoun; Sohrabi, Ahmad; Jahanitabesh, Azra

doi:10.1007/s41470-020-00075-z

Cited by 3 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 85 publications

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“…According to evolutionary psychology (Barkow et al, 1995;DM, 2005;Pinker, 1977;Tooby & Cosmides, 1990), the human mind is a collection of distinct cognitive-emotional mechanisms that were designed by natural selection over a long evolutionary time; indeed, automatic emotional processes (such as pleasure, anger, fear, disgust, and anxiety) evolved primarily in our ancestral hunter-gatherer societies to process and predict opportunities and threats, coordinate other cognitive mechanisms, and generate appropriate patterns of body movement to quickly and effectively address adaptive problems-or recurrent problems associated with reproductive success, such as food acquisition, sexual consummation, intrasexual mate competition, dominance conflict and so on (Al-Shawaf et al, 2016;Cosmides & Tooby, 2000;Frijda, 1986Frijda, , 2016Nesse & Ellsworth, 2009). Meanwhile, top-down cognitive control processes have evolved in connection with emotions to moderate and adjust automated and stimulus-driven processes, especially in unfamiliar and incongruent conditions (Ardila, 2008;Cristofori et al, 2019;Koziol et al, 2012;Malaei et al, 2020). Solving adaptive problems also required precise synchronizations between cognitive-emotional mechanisms and different patterns of physical activity (PA), prompting the evolution of integrated cognitive-emotional-motor (CEM) systems with specialized capabilities that can be activated effectively in ancestral conditions by certain cues (Cosmides & Tooby, 2013;Koziol et al, 2012;Kreibig, 2010;Mendoza & Merchant, 2014).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evolutionary Cognitive Enhancement: Reawakening Adaptive Cognitive-Emotional-Motor Systems

Malaei¹,

Machado²

2022

Preprint

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Evolutionary psychology has provided a groundbreaking approach to understanding human cognitive architecture during the last few decades, yet this approach has been overlooked when investigating and designing cognitive enhancement therapies. In this article, we posit that understanding why integrated cognitive, emotional, and motor (CEM) systems evolved in the first place can help researchers develop more effective cognitive enhancement strategies. According to an evolutionary perspective, a wide range of CEM systems was designed by natural selection to deal with adaptive problems and maximize reproductive success. However, CEM systems that evolved with a spectrum of problem-solving capabilities may not be as active in modern times due to the environments and challenges in which they evolved no longer being relevant. In exploring this perspective, we propose a theoretical model that explains the evolution of CEM systems and highlights the selection pressures that shaped cognitive-motor mechanisms in ancestral environments. From this viewpoint, and considered in light of current cognitive enhancement strategies and successes from cognitive training, neurostimulation, and physical exercise, we establish a novel framework for evolutionary cognitive enhancement (ECE) therapy. Moreover, toward applying the ECE approach in both clinical and non-clinical contexts, we put forward principles and guidelines for designing ancestral-like environments and suggest methods for recreating adaptive problems in real-world settings.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evolutionary Cognitive Enhancement: Reawakening Adaptive Cognitive-Emotional-Motor Systems

Malaei¹,

Machado²

2022

Preprint

Self Cite

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Mentalization and cognitive skills in men with Klinefelter syndrome versus non-clinical controls

Fjermestad

Bergh

Fleten

et al. 2023

Psychiatry Research Communications

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Intolerance of Uncertainty and Challenges in Decision-making in Adults with High-Functioning Autism

Kozunova

Novikov

Stroganova

et al. 2022

Клиническая И Специальная Психология

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<p style="text-align: justify;">Individuals with high-functioning autism have difficulties in decision-making in face of incomplete or ambiguous information, particularly in the context of social interaction. Tasks demanding an immediate response or deviation from the usual behavior make them feel excessive anxiety which restricts their social and professional activity. Attempts to camouflage their conservatism to others are one of the risk factors for comorbid depression. Therefore, they avoid new and non-routine situations, thus restricting their own social activity and professional development. On the other hand, insisting on sameness and clarity may give individuals with autism an advantage in long-lasting monotonous tasks. The aim of this review is to consider these symptoms from the perspective of predictive coding. A range of experimental studies has shown that most of the subjects with autism have difficulty in predicting the outcomes based on the cumulative history of interacting with the environment, as well as updating expectations as new evidence becomes available. These peculiarities of the analysis and pragmatic weighting of information may cause the trait intolerance of uncertainty and novelty avoidance of most people with autism.</p>

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“Reading the Mind in the Eyes” Is Associated with Top-Down Visual Attention

Cited by 3 publications

References 85 publications

Evolutionary Cognitive Enhancement: Reawakening Adaptive Cognitive-Emotional-Motor Systems

Evolutionary Cognitive Enhancement: Reawakening Adaptive Cognitive-Emotional-Motor Systems

Mentalization and cognitive skills in men with Klinefelter syndrome versus non-clinical controls

Intolerance of Uncertainty and Challenges in Decision-making in Adults with High-Functioning Autism

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